Ted Stillwell, thank you so much for your recent “Portraits of the Past” column.

What a courageous, wise teacher you were blessed to have, and how beautifully you shared your remembrance of her words, after the occasion of her husband’s sudden death. I wonder if her poignant words that day made an indelible impression on others in your class.

It’s a beautiful, appropriate article, especially during the recent Memorial Day, as we celebrated the lives of deceased military and family members who have “graduated to heaven.” We celebrate by decorating graves and by relating interesting and fun stories that we remember, of those no longer alive. We relate their stories to one another, to the younger generations, and trust they too, will keep deceased relatives’ memories alive for the next generation, establishing the family heritage and bonding that draw us together as family.

We continue to hear great reports about you and your columns. Keep up the great work, and keep on keeping on! Our love you to you, talented friend to many of us.